Strike on the dam near Kharkiv: why Russia is targeting Ukrainian infrastructure
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note that Russia is preparing for new offensive actions in the coming weeks and months. According to their assessment, the strikes on the Pechenihy Dam and other sites in northern Kharkiv region are aimed at disrupting Ukrainian supply chains and complicating defense logistics.
Destroying key communications, according to ISW, is intended to give Russian forces tactical advantages in this sector.
Analysts point out that geolocation footage from December 7 shows damage to the dam following the Russian strike. These attacks are likely aimed at weakening Ukrainian ground supply lines supporting the directions of Vovchansk, Velykyi Burluk, and Kupiansk.
At the same time, Ukrainian forces were prepared for this scenario, so the effectiveness of these Russian strikes on Ukrainian logistics may be limited, ISW notes.
ISW analysts also emphasize that Russian air interdiction campaigns include strikes on targets in the near and operational rear, such as roads, railways, and bridges that support Ukrainian ground supply lines:
"Russian campaigns are aimed at facilitating Russian offensive operations in the coming weeks and months by weakening Ukraine’s ability to sustain defense at the front. Russian strikes on the operational rear in the directions of Kharkiv, Velykyi Burluk, and Kupiansk may be intended to achieve this effect in these sectors of the front in preparation for intensified offensive operations."
At the same time, it is noted that Russian forces have not been able to replicate successes on other parts of the front achieved by their months-long air interdiction campaign in the Pokrovske direction.
"Perhaps because Russia can allocate the necessary forces and resources to achieve such large-scale results in a single operational area at a time," analysts emphasize.
